Football: Mignolet will reject Sunderland deal - agent

Football: Mignolet will reject Sunderland deal - agent

Highly rated goalkeeper Simon Mignolet could be set to leave Sunderland after his agent revealed on Thursday that he will probably not extend his contract with the Premier League club.

Mignolet has two years remaining on his current deal, but agent Nico Vaesen said the 25-year-old Belgium international was already thinking about life beyond the Stadium of Light.

"There is no progress. I think it is very unlikely that he will sign a new contract," Vaesen told regional newspaper the Sunderland Echo.

"Simon has obviously come to a point where he wants to step up a level and there is a lot of interest in him. He is very ambitious and wants to play in the World Cup in Brazil next year.

"It was a good thing that Sunderland stayed up and it is a fantastic club where he has had three great years. But it is maybe time to step up a level and play for a club competing for a European spot."

Mignolet was one of few Sunderland players to impress this season and he has been linked with clubs including Arsenal and Liverpool.

"All teams that are interested in Simon, we direct them to Sunderland," Vaesen added.

"He still has a two-year contract there and any interested clubs have to agree a price with Sunderland first. That is the way we conduct our business."

Mignolet joined Sunderland from Belgian side Sint-Truiden in a £2 million ($3.1 million, 2.4 million euros) deal in 2010.

He is currently Belgium's second-choice goalkeeper behind Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois, who spent last season on loan at Spanish club Atletico Madrid.